Silk-elastin like protein polymers for embolization and chemoembolization to treat cancer

ABSTRACT

A chemoembolic agent is disclosed that includes an injectable, recombinantly synthesized silk-elastin like protein copolymer and one or more chemotherapeutic agents. Upon injection, the chemoembolic agent blocks the tumor vasculature, including the capillary bed, and may optionally release chemotherapeutic agents. The chemoembolic agent may be used to treat cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/848,673 filed Jan. 8, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of treating cancer by blocking tumor vasculature with a protein hydrogel embolic agent that may also include a chemotherapeutic drug. The hydrogel may be configured to release chemotherapeutic drug into the tumor at a defined rate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A provides the amino acid sequence of two embodiments of SELPs as disclosed herein, SELP-47K and SELP-815K.

FIG. 1B illustrates the assumed network configuration of the SELPs of FIG. 1A.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, together, present a schematic depicting TACE treatment in a subject.

FIG. 2A illustrates the step of gaining vascular access in the subject.

FIG. 2B illustrates the step of selecting an artery that feeds the tumor for injecting the chemoembolic agent.

FIG. 2C illustrates the step of administering the chemoembolic to the tumor.

FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart that defines steps of a proposed method to identify and test a candidate formulation for a chemoembolic as disclosed herein.

FIG. 4A is a graph that illustrates the viscosity profiles of different concentrations of SELP-815K.

FIG. 4B illustrates the viscosity of 12% w/w SELP-47K during a thermal profile that simulated transcatheter injection.

FIG. 4C is a graph that illustrates the gel stiffness of varying concentrations of SELP-815K over time as it forms a hydrogel.

FIG. 4D is a graph that illustrates the gelation rates of varying concentrations of SELP-47K over time as they form hydrogels at 37° C.

FIG. 5 is a graph that demonstrates the incorporation of contrast agent into 16% w/w SELP-815K for use in guiding a transarterial catheter during administration of the embolic agent.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C illustrate the in vitro microfluidic system used to assess the ability of the embolic agent to occlude the microvasculature.

FIG. 6A depicts the in vitro microfluidic device with simulated blood flowing through the structures that simulate the vasculature.

FIG. 6B depicts the in vitro microfluidic device of FIG. 6A being injected with SELP-815K solution.

FIG. 6C depicts the in vitro microfluidic device of FIG. 6B being injected with simulated blood after injected SELP-815K has formed a hydrogel embolism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of embolics and drug delivery methods for treating cancer. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to the use of recombinantly synthesized silk-elastin-like protein (SELP) copolymers to embolize tumor vasculature, including the small vessels such as arterioles. The SELP solution is an injectable liquid at room temperature and forms a hydrogel in the tumor vasculature at body temperature. The material may be loaded with one or more chemotherapeutic drugs which may be released into the tumor from the embolic agent. The copolymers may also have matrix metalloprotease cleavage sites engineered into the protein copolymer using recombinant techniques to enable controlled breakdown of the embolic material. This modification provides control over the duration of embolization and controlled release of the chemotherapeutic agent. Therefore, the material may attack the tumor both by depriving it of blood supply and/or by delivering chemotherapeutic compounds.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a cancer of the liver which, due to its relative lack of symptoms, is detected at advanced stages in 84% of cases. The 1-year survival rate of symptomatic HCC patients is 22% and at 5 years it is 5%. For these patients, the only curative option is surgical liver resection and liver transplantation. The lack of donor livers and the rapid progression of the disease, however, eliminates this option for most patients.

Several palliative treatment options can slow the progression of HCC and increase the survival time of patients. Because HCC is generally unresponsive to systemic chemotherapy, localized treatments such as local chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or ablative therapy are typically employed. The most widely used is transcatheter arterial chemoemobolization (TACE). Using endovascular catheters to selectively access the arteries in the liver under radiographic imaging, the objectives of TACE are: 1) to deliver an embolizing agent to the arteries of the tumor(s), selectively blocking blood flow and causing ischemic necrosis, and 2) to co-deliver a chemotherapeutic agent or cocktail of agents, which concentrate in the tumor.

While TACE is the recommended first-line treatment option to increase survival times of patients with unresectable HCC, its effectiveness is dependent on a number of factors. Foremost among these factors is the physical and chemical nature of the embolizing agent. Liquid embolizing agents are the most easily injected through the smallest diameter catheters, consequently accessing the smaller, more tumor-selective arteries. Their drawback, at times, is that they may not be stably maintained in the arteries as liquids after injection as in the case of Lipiodol®, an iodized esterified oil, or as insoluble masses, as in the case of Onyx®, a liquid suspension of polyethylenevinylalcohol dissolved in DMSO. Embolizing agents consisting of particulate solids form more stable emboli, but are often more difficult to inject. They may require larger diameter catheters due to their large size (typically 200-1000 μm diameter particles), which limits the selectivity of the embolization.

TACE has been used to treat HCC with some success. However, there are several limitations to the current state of this technique. Collateral damage to healthy liver can arise from excessive non-tumor selective embolization or chemotherapeutic toxicity. For this reason, TACE is contraindicated for treatment of patients with multiple tumors (>2 tumors) or large tumors (>3 cm diameter). Such damage could be avoided and TACE treatment offered to more patients if embolization could be more selectively performed and chemotherapeutic delivery better controlled. Moreover, advances in the understanding of the physiology and pharmacology of hepatocellular carcinoma have led to the development of new potential drug therapies targeting the vascularization of HCC tumors. Attractive among these are the anti-angiogenic drugs targeting vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF, and its receptor. However, these include high molecular weight therapeutics which cannot be effectively delivered using existing embolizing agents. An example is the biologic, bevacizumab, an anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody, which has a molecular weight of approximately 149 kD. An embolizing agent that is compatible with these drugs and capable of providing sustained delivery of high-molecular weight agents is needed.

Another factor affecting the efficacy of TACE is the duration of embolization. Ischemic necrosis as a result of embolization is important in controlling tumor growth. Using embolic agents composed of the synthetic polymers polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) provides a permanent embolization. These polymers are non-degradable and can remain in tissues indefinitely. If an effective occlusion occurs immediately upon embolization and the occlusion is physically maintained (lack of recanalization), then blood flow to the target tissue will be permanently blocked. However, clinical outcomes are seldom clear-cut. After TACE, tumors have been found to respond to treatment for periods of up to several weeks to months, and then resume growth. Regardless of the reason, the opportunity to retreat a patient that experiences tumor rebound is the hallmark of sustained cancer treatment. Especially for unresectable HCC, which inherently responds poorly to systemic chemotherapy and for which retreatment options are limited, the blockage of blood flow from a previous TACE procedure further restricts these options in that intravascular access to the rebounding tumor is blocked. Restored blood flow to a previously embolized tumor in a treatment-relevant fashion would be clinically beneficial in treating unresectable HCC.

To be effective, an embolizing agent must be able to be selectively delivered to tumor arteries where it forms stable arterial occlusions. Ideal embolizing agents would likely take the form of a liquid with a viscosity low enough for injection through the smallest endovascular catheters (in some instances ≦500 μm inner diameter), enabling its flow into the smallest arteries, but high enough to restrict its flow through the capillaries and into systemic circulation. After injection, such liquid embolizing agents would transition to a solid hydrogel with enough physical strength to prevent its wash-out into the venous blood flow.

Such liquid embolizing agents and their hydrogels would also, ideally, be completely aqueous and compatible with the delivery of anti-cancer drugs, including high-molecular-weight biotherapeutics, which are unable to be effectively delivered with current drug-eluting embolizing agents. Localized delivery to the tumor is important because therapeutics that effectively treat HCC and other tumors also often have undesired effects on other tissues. For example, new anti-angiogenic agents suppress tumor revascularization and regrowth, but may also suppress wound healing responses in patients with underlying wound pathologies such as extremity wounds in diabetic patients. Potent anti-proliferative drugs that target cells experiencing hypoxia could have significant effects on embolized liver tumors, however, they may also exacerbate the deterioration of heart and vascular tissues in patients with cardiovascular disease. Avoiding the off-target effects of these and other drugs by concentrating and localizing their release by delivering TACE according to the present disclosure could significantly advance new therapeutic options for HCC.

Novel arterial embolizing agents are disclosed herein which may elute drugs such as chemotherapeutic agents and which may possess one, two, or more of the properties of an ideal embolizing agent described above. The embolizing agents are injectable as a liquid, able to penetrate into the smallest arteries, and transform to an insoluble gel in-situ forming a substantially durable occlusion. The embolizing liquids are completely aqueous and compatible with drugs and biotherapeutics thus enabling their localized controlled release. The compositions are even compatible with live cells. The embolic agents are composed of the protein polymer, silk-elastin-like protein (SELP), a class of genetically engineered protein polymers which have been investigated for use in several different applications. SELPs are made up of repeating “blocks” of amino acids, referred to as “silk blocks” (Gly-Ala-Gly-Ala-Gly-Ser) (SEQ ID NO: 1) and “elastin blocks”(Gly-Val-Gly-Val-Pro) (SEQ ID NO: 2). The silk blocks consist of the sequence Gly-Ala-Gly-Ala-Gly-Ser (SEQ ID NO: 1), and are based on the naturally occurring fibrillar silk of b. mori, the common silkworm.

The design of the elastin blocks is based on mammalian elastin, a very common connective tissue in the body which gives skin its elasticity. With appropriate sequence and composition, SELPs transform from a liquid at room temperature (approximately 18-23° C.) to a physically cross-linked hydrogel network at body temperature (approximately 37° C.). SELPs have been described previously, including in PCT publication no. WO 2013/181471, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The viscosity and gelation rate of the SELP fluids are adjusted by specifying the composition and the concentration of the SELPs. The physical properties of the hydrogels, their polymer network densities and its stiffness, can be controlled by the SELP compositions (the silk to elastin ratio and the length of the silk and elastin block domains) and their solution concentrations.

FIG. 1A illustrates the amino acid sequences of SELP-47K and SELP-815K, two embodiments of SELPs that may comprise the chemoembolics as disclosed herein. The silk units forming the rigid backbone are in grey font and the flexible elastin units are shown underlined and in grey font. The elastin units allow pore formation which is required for drug release. FIG. 1B illustrates the assumed network configurations of SELP-47K and SELP-815K. As shown in FIG. 1B, the pore size of SELP-815K is larger than that of SELP-47K. Because pores size impacts the rate of drug release from the polymer, the size of the one or more chemotherapeutic molecule intended to be included in the chemoembolic agents may impact the optimal pore size for the hydrogels and, consequently, the optimal SELP compositions for drug delivery.

In addition to SELP structure, pore size of the network is affected by the concentration of the polymer. Therefore, both SELP structure and concentration can be optimized for drug release by adjusting either the choice of SELP polymer, its concentration, or both. In addition, the pore size, and thus the drug release rate, may be adjusted by blending different SELPs in combination. For example, a mixture of SELP-47K and SELP-815K may release a combination of low and high molecular weight drugs more effectively than either polymer alone.

In addition, the present disclosure describes novel therapeutic methods comprising the steps of using endovascular catheters to selectively access the arteries in the tumor tissue under radiographic imaging, delivering the embolizing agents and/or chemoembolizing agents to the arteries of the tumor(s) by injecting the agent into the tumor vasculature, thus, selectively blocking blood flow causing ischemic necrosis, and, optionally, co-delivering a chemotherapeutic agent or cocktail of agents, which concentrate in the tumor(s). FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate a schematic of an embodiment of the methods of the present disclosure. FIG. 2A illustrates the step of gaining vascular access using an endovascular catheter 102. FIG. 2B illustrates the step of identifying and selecting the artery 104 in the liver 106 that feeds the tumor 108. The chemoembolic agent 110 will be injected into this artery 104. FIG. 2C illustrates the step of administering the chemoembolic agent 110 that comprises a drug or cocktail of drugs by injecting the chemoembolic agent 110 into the tumor vasculature through the selected artery 104. The tip 112 of the endovascular catheter 102 is shown within the selected artery 104 that feeds the tumor 108.

The present disclosure provides methods of treating cancer comprising the step of injecting a chemoembolic agent into the vasculature of a subject in need thereof using techniques including, but not limited to, that illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C. The methods include a method of treating a cancer, wherein the cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma. Furthermore, the method may include the step of injecting a chemoembolic agent, wherein the at least one chemotherapeutic agent is effective against hepatocellular carcinoma.

In an alternative embodiment of the method illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, the SELP embolic agent is administered without chemotherapeutic agents or cocktails thereof. Because the SELPs in the disclosed agents are biodegradable, the agents may be administered repeatedly. Each time the embolic agent is administered, it may either include one or more chemotherapeutic agents or exclude such agents. In some embodiments, the steps of the disclosed method may alternate between administration of an embolic agent with one or more chemotherapeutic agents and administration of an embolic agent without a chemotherapeutic agent. Additionally, the one or more chemotherapeutic agents that comprise the chemoembolic agent may vary with each administration.

Embolization with SELPs may offer important advantages over the use of existing embolic agents. Unlike products composed of synthetic polymers, SELPs are proteins composed solely of natural amino acids and they will ultimately degrade to their constituent amino acids, which are non-toxic and biocompatible. Unlike the currently-available liquid embolics, such as Lipiodol® and Onyx®, the SELP formulations disclosed herein transition from liquids upon injection at room temperature (approximately 18-23° C.) to elastic hydrogels at body temperature (approximately 37° C.), forming stable biomaterials. The transition is not associated with any thermal release, nor is there a change of volume. Furthermore, the transition does not involve any chemical reaction, thus there is no possibility of chemically altering the chemotherapeutic agent(s). Unlike currently-available preformed particles, SELPs may be injected through finer catheters, enabling access to distal tumor-specific arteries. This increased precision of transcatheter delivery using a SELP liquid embolic may translate into more selective embolizations, potentially reducing collateral damage to the healthy tissue. Consequently, the novel TACE treatment disclosed herein may be applicable to a greater number of patients, including those with a greater number of tumors and/or greater tumor size than those currently treated with TACE. Furthermore, the SELP hydrogels eventually biodegrade, enabling subsequent TACE treatments, if necessary.

This disclosure also provides a method to further improve the drug delivery capability of SELPs by adding one or more matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-responsive peptide sequences to the monomer unit. Drug delivery rate is proportional to the rate the SELP polymer degrades. Adding MMP-responsive sequences may increase the rate of SELP polymer degradation and, thus, increase the drug delivery rate when the chemoembolic agent reaches the tumor.

MMPs are a family of structurally-related endopeptidases, which exist in a dynamic balance with tissue inhibitors of metalloproteases (TIMPs) to control myriad biological functions requiring extracellular matrix degradation. Proper function and regulation of MMPs is responsible for diverse biological functions such as angiogenesis, embryonic development, and wound healing. There are over 20 known specific MMPs, divided into subgroups based on their additional domains and known biological functions. The main classes of MMPs are collagenases, gelatinases, stromelysins, matrilysins, membrane-type MMPs, and other unclassified MMPs.

MMPs-2 and -9 are known as gelatinase type A and B, respectively, due to their known ability to degrade gelatin (denatured collagen). In normal situations, MMPs-2 and -9 contribute to many processes involving cell migration and signaling, including, for example, angiogenesis and inflammation/innate immunity. However, these MMPs have also been shown to be overexpressed in certain disease states relative to their expression in healthy tissue. The expression and activity of MMPs are increased in almost every type of human cancer, and this correlates with advanced tumor stage, increased invasion and metastasis, and shortened survival. HCC cells have been shown to produce MMPs including, but not limited to, MMPs-2 and -9.

The one or more MMP-specific cleavage sites may be chosen to correspond to the enzyme expressed by the relevant tumor. The sequence of each MMP-specific cleavage site will depend on the relevant MMP, regardless of the protein polymer used, and may be inserted in advantageous locations within the protein polymers.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, the chemoembolic agent is a SELP-815K copolymer including MMP cleavage sites. The one or more MMP cleavage sites in the SELP-815K protein polymer may comprise a cleavage site of either MMP-2, MMP-9, or of both MMP-2 and MMP-9. In some embodiments of the chemoembolic agent, the SELP copolymer comprises the following structure with the MMP-responsive sequence indicated by bold font:

(SEQ ID NO: 5) [GAGS(GAGAGS)₂(GVGVP)₃ GVGGPQGIFGQPGKGVP(GVGVP)₁₁ (GAGAGS)₅GA]₆.

Various embodiments of the disclosed protein polymer are within the scope of this disclosure. FIG. 3 presents a flowchart that shows the steps that may be taken to determine a candidate formulation of the chemoembolic agent as disclosed herein. The flowchart also includes steps that may be used to move the chemoembolic through feasibility testing of occlusive abilities. FIG. 3 also discloses steps that may be used to determine the drug delivery capabilities of the chemoembolic agent.

The method depicted in FIG. 3 comprises two phases. Phase I is designed to demonstrate the feasibility of a particular SELP formulation as an effective embolizing agent. Phase I begins with steps to be taken to identify SELP copolymer candidates that include (1) testing viscosity of varying concentrations of the SELPs to determine whether they may be injectable through a catheter, (2) rheological characterization to assess gelation time and gel stiffness so as to assess their ability to remain liquid at room temperature and transform to a transarterial embolism at body temperature, and (3) directly testing the feasibility in an in vitro system that mimics the vasculature. SELP solutions that are identified as candidates after being tested in Phase I proceed to Phase II, which is designed to test the ability of SELP formulations to deliver drugs to tumors. During Phase II, the manufacturing process of the selected SELP will be scaled up, the formulation optimized, product sterilization and packaging optimized, and drug release profiles evaluated. Implant safety and performance studies in suitable animal models may also be conducted.

The disclosure also describes a kit that may provide the components of the embolic and/or chemoembolic disclosed herein. The kit may comprise a SELP copolymer that is formulated to be used as an embolic as disclosed herein. One or more chemotherapeutic compounds may also be included in the kit. The SELP copolymer may be provided in liquid form or provided as a freeze dried or lyophilized powder along with a vial or ampoule of sterile water for reconstitution. The chemotherapeutic agent may also be provided in liquid form or provided as a freeze dried or lyophilized powder along with a vial or ampoule of sterile water for reconstitution. The SELP formulation and the one or more chemotherapeutic agents may be provided in the same or separate containers. A microcatheter for use in injection may be provided as may instructions for use of the kit.

EXAMPLES

The SELP-47K and SELP-815K copolymers used in the following examples were synthesized according to methods known in the art. While the examples disclosed herein characterize the use of SELP-47K and SELP-815K for use as chemoembolics, one of skill in the art will understand that these are but two embodiments of the protein polymers according to the present disclosure that may be formulated for use as embolics and/or chemoembolics.

Example 1

Viscosity of SELP-815K Formulations at Increasing Temperatures

Viscosity of the SELPs was determined using an AR 550 stress-controlled rheometer (TA Instruments, New Castle, Del.) with a cone-and-plate configuration using a 20 mm diameter, 4 degree cone. SELP copolymers were dissolved in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at concentrations of 12%, 16%, 18%, or 20% w/w. The polymer solutions were mixed via vortex and manual inversion incrementally with cooling in ice every 30 s until dissolved (3-4 min.), followed by centrifugation at for 3 minutes at high speed in a clinical centrifuge (International Equipment Co.). Prepared polymer solutions were kept on ice until transfer to the Peltier plate of the rheometer. Generally, the elapsed time from which the PBS was added to the protein to the time in which the rheometer was started was about 30 to 45 minutes. A temperature ramp method was run starting at 1.5° C. and ending at 50° C., duration of 15 min and controlled angular velocity of 6.283 rad/s.

FIG. 4A illustrates the effect of temperature and concentration on viscosity of SELP-815K. Viscosity levels that are compatible with injection were determined using silicone oil standards injected manually through 2.8° F. microcatheters using 1 cc and 3 cc syringes. Viscosity of all formulations increased as the temperature approached 37° C. The ideal viscosity is that which is injectable through a catheter of a desired size. A less viscous formulation may be injectable through a larger catheter. The viscosity of the formulation is optimally less than 1000 cP at room temperature (18-23° C.). A formulation of less than 500 cP may be used in situations where, for example, a somewhat smaller injection catheter is employed. However, it is desirable that the formulation maintain an even less viscous liquid form at room temperature (18-23° C.) in order to be able to pass through a microinjection catheter. Therefore, formulations that demonstrated a viscosity of equal to or less than 150 cP (indicated by the dashed and dotted line in FIG. 4A) at temperatures of 18-23° C. (identified as the box in FIG. 4A) were deemed most desirable as injectable embolic materials, at least in procedures employing microinjection catheters. One of skill in the art will readily optimize the viscosity of the liquid for the procedure at hand. As shown in FIG. 4A, solutions of 12, 16, and 18% w/w SELP-815K demonstrated a viscosity of equal to or less than 150 cP at temperatures of 18-23° C. while 20% w/w SELP-815K did not.

Example 2

Assessment of Suitability of Viscosity of SELP-47K Formulation for Injection through Intravascular Catheter

A rheometer evaluation was conducted to determine if the viscosity of a SELP-47K solution could be obtained in the range suitable for catheter injection. The results of this experiment are shown in FIG. 4B. The viscosity of a 12% w/w SELP-47K solution for injection through a 1 m length×0.5 mm internal diameter intravascular catheter using a 1 cc syringe with moderate hand pressure was determined empirically to be 50 cP. Rheometric analysis determined the viscosity of the SELP-47K fluid remained ≦46 cP at room temperature for up to 30 minutes (FIG. 4B, 1 cP=0.001 Pa·s). After 30 minutes, the temperature was shifted from room temperature to 37° C. The viscosity increased rapidly following the temperature shift but remained ≦50 cP for 4.8 minutes afterwards. The catheter had a hold -up volume of approximately 200 μl. At a minimum injection rate of 0.1 ml/min, the fluid residence time in the catheter would typically be 2 minutes. Therefore, the fluid in-transit through the catheter at 37° C. would remain fluid and injectable at a viscosity ≦50 cP throughout an anticipated 30-minute injection process.

Example 3

Assessment of Stiffness of Gels Formed by Formulations of SELP-815K

FIG. 4C illustrates the results of an experiment that was conducted to assess gel stiffness (G′) of varying concentrations of SELP-815K over time as it formed a hydrogel. A rheometer evaluation was conducted as in Example 1 to assess the strength of hydrogels formed from SELP-815K at concentrations of 12, 16, or 20% w/w. Oscillatory time sweeps were performed on each sample consisting of an equilibration time sweep at 23° C. and angular frequency of 6.283 rad/s and 1.0% strain for 1 minute followed by a 16 hour sweep at 37° C. and angular frequency of 6.283 rad/s and 0.1% strain. Briefly, individual polymer samples previously prepared to the correct concentration and kept on ice were immediately transferred to the Peltier plate pre-heated to 23° C. at a volume of 150 μl. The equilibration step ends with a temperature ramp up to 37° C. ranging 30-60 seconds before start of the 16 hour run. The time sweep result in traces for G′ and G″, the storage and loss moduli respectively. The G′ plateau represents dynamic gel strength, formulations of 12 and 16% w/w SELP-815K showed similar stiffness within the time assessed in the experiment. In contrast, 20% w/w SELP-815K formed a more stiff gel. This experiment demonstrates that the stiffness of the hydrogels formed by the SELP solutions may be modified and optimized by varying the concentration of the solutions.

Example 4

Assessment of Relationship between SELP Concentration and Solution Viscosity

The relationship between SELP concentration and solution viscosity as it relates to catheter injectability was determined by measuring the solution viscosity of SELP-47K at various concentrations ranging from 7.5 to 20% w/w. Viscosity was measured as described in Example 1. The storage modulus (G′) for each sample was measured as a function of time at 37° C. This concentration range yielded SELP-47K solutions that are injectable through hypodermic needles and that undergo hydrogel formation (FIG. 4D).

Example 5

Assessment of Contrast Agent Incorporation into SELP-815K Solution

During administration, the embolic and/or chemoembolic solutions will be injected into a tumor vasculature using a transarterial microcatheter. Contrast agent may be added to the solutions to guide the transarterial catheter during this process. Consequently, in some methods, SELP formulations that retain their gel strength when mixed with contrast agent are desirable. To assess the effect of contrast agent on gel strength, a solution of SELP-815K at a concentration of 16% w/w was prepared. Contrast agent was added to one sample of the solution at a concentration of 20% w/w contrast agent. The stiffness of the SELP-815K solution with and without contrast agent was assessed as in Example 3. FIG. 5 depicts a graph that demonstrates the incorporation of contrast agent into 16% w/w SELP 815K and its impact on gel stiffness. The gel formed from the SELP-815K solution that included contrast agent was similar in stiffness to that formed from SELP-815K solution without contrast agent. Consequently, the SELP-815K formulation tested is compatible with the addition of contrast agent for use in guiding the transarterial catheter during embolic and/or chemoembolic agent administration.

Example 6

In Vitro Evaluation of Embolic Capabilities of SELP-815K

An in vitro test system was developed to evaluate the performance of a 16% w/w SELP-815K solution in embolization. This system comprised a custom microfluidic device to simulate arterio-capillary geometry and flow. It consists of a tapered occlusion channel with a proximal internal diameter of 1 mm at the entry and a distal internal diameter of 0.05 mm at the center. FIG. 6A illustrates the geometry of the microfluidic device. The device has two entry ports 610, a Luer Lok port for injection of the SELP test solution using a syringe 620 and microcatheter 640 and a second entry port for delivery of saline via a syringe pump 630 (see FIG. 6A). The delivery channels merge and enter the occlusion channel at the proximal end. A pressure gauge monitored the internal hydrostatic pressure.

The experiment was conducted to verify that the SELP solutions have sufficient viscosity to prevent their flow through the occlusion channel. Three devices were connected in parallel as described above were set up to create a low pressure system mimicking hepatic vasculature. Colored saline designed to simulate blood was injected into one system at a rate of 3.4 ml/min. Internal hydrostatic pressure was maintained below 20 mm Hg. The fluid was able to permeate through the devices without blockage (see FIG. 6B, note that no SELP solution has entered the system as indicated by the detached microcatheter 640). The second device was injected with SELP-815K using syringe 620 and microcatheter 640 (see FIG. 6C) under flow conditions. The SELP-815K solution gelled, and blocked flow of the colored saline. The SELP hydrogel effectively blocked the solution from proceeding through the system (FIG. 6C). This result suggests that the SELP-815K solution (16% w/w) is sufficient to embolize small arteries such as those within tumor vasculature.

All publications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference herein and as though fully set forth.

Modifications and improvements of the embodiments specifically disclosed herein are within the scope of the following claims. Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the area can, using the preceding description, utilize the present disclosure to its fullest extent. Therefore the Examples herein are to be construed as merely illustrative and not a limitation of the scope of the present invention in any way. The embodiments disclosed in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows. 

We claim:
 1. An injectable embolic agent comprising at least one silk-elastin like protein copolymer.
 2. An embolic agent according to claim 1, wherein the agent is a liquid at 18-23° C. and wherein the agent transforms to a cross-linked hydrogel at 37° C.
 3. An embolic agent according to claim 1, wherein the at least one silk-elastin like protein copolymer is produced using recombinant methods.
 4. An embolic agent according to claim 1, wherein the at least one silk-elastin like protein copolymer comprises one or more of (SEQ ID NO: 3) MDPVVLQRRDWENPGVTQLVRLAAHPPFASDPMGAGSGAG AGS[(GVGVP)₄GKGVP(GVGVP)₃(GAGAGS)₄]₁₂(GVGVP)₄GKG VP(GVGVP)₂(GAGAGS)₂GAMDPGRYQDLRSHHHHHH and (SEQ ID NO: 4) MDPVVLQRRDWENPGVTQLNRLAAHPPFASDPM[GAGS(GA GAGS)₂(GVGVP)₄GKGVP(GVGVP)₁₁(GAGAGS)₅GA]₆GAMDP GRYQDLRSHHHHHH.


5. An embolic agent according to claim 1, wherein the at least one silk-elastin like protein copolymer comprises one or more matrix metalloprotease cleavage sites.
 6. An embolic agent according to claim 2, wherein the agent has a viscosity of equal to or less than 1000 cP at 18-23° C.
 7. An embolic agent according to claim 2, wherein the agent has a viscosity of equal to or less than 150 cP at 18-23° C.
 8. An embolic agent according to claim 2, wherein the stiffness of the cross-linked hydrogel is approximately at least approximately 1×10⁵ Pa.
 9. An embolic agent according to claim 1, wherein the agent contains a contrast-agent.
 10. An injectable chemoembolic agent comprising at least one silk-elastin like protein copolymer and at least one chemotherapeutic agent.
 11. An injectable chemoembolic agent according to claim 10, wherein at least one chemotherapeutic agent comprises a biologic compound.
 12. An injectable chemoembolic agent according to claim 10, wherein the agent is a liquid at 18-23° C. and wherein the agent transforms to a cross-linked hydrogel at 37° C.
 13. An injectable chemoembolic agent according to claim 10, wherein the at least one silk-elastin-like protein copolymer is produced using recombinant methods.
 14. An injectable chemoembolic agent according to claim 10, wherein the at least one silk-elastin-like protein copolymer comprises one or more of (SEQ ID NO: 3) MDPVVLQRRDWENPGVTQLVRLAAHPPFASDPMGAGSGAG AGS[(GVGVP)₄GKGVP(GVGVP)₃(GAGAGS)₄]₁₂(GVGVP)₄GKG VP(GVGVP)₂(GAGAGS)₂GAMDPGRYQDLRSHHHHHH  and (SEQ ID NO: 4) MDPVVLQRRDWENPGVTQLNRLAAHPPFASDPM[GAGS(GA GAGS)₂(GVGVP)₄GKGVP(GVGVP)₁₁(GAGAGS)₅GA]₆GAMDP GRYQDLRSHHHHHH.


15. An injectable chemoembolic agent according to claim 10, wherein the at least one silk-elastin-like protein copolymer comprises one or more matrix metalloprotease cleavage sites.
 16. An injectable chemoembolic agent according to claim 12, wherein the agent has a viscosity of equal to or less than 1000 cP at 18-23° C.
 17. An injectable chemoembolic agent according to claim 12, wherein the agent has a viscosity of equal to or less than 150 cP at 18-23° C.
 18. An injectable chemoembolic agent according to claim 10, wherein the stiffness of the cross-linked hydrogel is at least approximately 1×10⁵ Pa.
 19. An injectable chemoembolic agent according to claim 10, wherein the at least one chemotherapeutic agent is effective in treating hepatocellular carcinoma.
 20. An injectable chemoembolic agent according to claim 10, wherein the at least one chemotherapeutic agent comprises one or more of a drug targeting vascular endothelial growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor. 